Jake lands a new job

Jake lands a new job

December 10, 2007 - 11:31AM

World Cup winning coach Jake White is making the first moves away from rugby with reports in South Africa saying he is about to be made head of marketing for Richmark Holdings, a telecommunications company in Johannesburg.

The Sunday Times said White, who led the Springboks to glory at the World Cup after four years in charge of the national side, wouldn't be lost to rugby entirely but he was keen to pursue what he hoped would be a long career in big business.

Richmark Group chief executive Gavin Varejes, a lifelong sports enthusiast who boasts the biggest collection of sport memorabilia in South Africa, engineered the deal.

Varejes, who is president and founder of SA Rugby Legends, said his motivation to employ White came from a fear of losing him to an offshore role. There have been strong suggestions that White will take over as England coach.

"That would have been terrible. He would have lost the heart of every South African," Varejes told the Sunday Times.

Varejes described White as a "deal-maker" whose skills as a coach were perfectly suited to the business world.

"He knows what makes people tick, he's sharp, a great talker . . . he's the most popular guy in SA right now," said Varejes.

"You look under 'self-respect' in the dictionary and you see the name Jake White."

Meanwhile, White told South African website Keo.co.za that retaining Graham Henry as All Blacks coach was a wise move.

"There is a lot of emotion and hurt around in New Zealand at the moment, but it is the most logical decision that could have been made," said White.

"You only have to look at Graham's record to know what impact he has had. Before the defeat against France they'd won 42 out of 48 tests. That's pretty remarkable when you consider they are playing the top teams every year, home and away.

"The next World Cup is in New Zealand and it makes sense to go with a guy who has been through a four year experience. He is fine coach and the reality of a World Cup is you only have to be off your game for 20 minutes and you could be out. The All Blacks were bound to lose one in 20 - and unfortunately for Graham that one came during the World Cup in a play-off situation."

White believed New Zealand were spoilt for choice in deciding between Henry and Robbie Deans. He felt Deans could help turn the Wallabies around if he crossed the Tasman to coach there.

"You'd think, Henry or Deans, either way New Zealand was picking a winner and a guy who is going to win more than he loses. Deans is a fantastic coach and I think he will improve the Wallabies should he take the job. It's going to be a fascinating international season in 2008."